Body & Soul
Festival Guide
Initially inspired by the Nevada desert’s legendary Burning Man festival, Body & Soul emerged out of a desire to to honour the thousand-year-old tradition of Summer Solstice. Nestled within the woods of Ballinlough Castle’s stunning 300-acre estate, the boutique event marries art installations, spoken-word and culinary banquets in addition to a sterling musical line-up. Check out recommendations from this year’s sold-out event below.
Santigold
Aside from writing pop-songs for the likes of Ashlee Simpson and collaborating with close friend M.I.A, Santi White excels at crafting dazzling, genre-hopping music that you’d be hard-pressed to pigeonhole. Having shown disregard for the shackles of mainstream pop since her 2008 debut, White’s dynamic fusion of new-wave, dub and hip-hop is as indebted to Blondie as it is Major Lazer - who co-produced albums one and two. If Day-Glo-clad dancers and infectious, high-octane melodies are your thing, don’t miss the New Yorker’s headline slot.
Gold Panda
Since his formative years remixing Bloc Party and Simian Mobile Disco, UK-born producer Gold Panda has been gently honing his off-kilter productions, the result of a nomadic lifestyle locked away with his trusty MPC. Like fellow leftfield ambassadors Mount Kimbie and Bonobo, the beat-maker’s repertoire translates into a mesmerising live set, bringing to life his fantastical, hip-hop-tinged electronica. Head to his set for a dose of his uplifting, Eastern-inspired flavours, and to hear material from his excellent new LP, Good Luck And Do Your Best.
Mbongwana Star
Hailing from the capital of Congo, seven-piece outfit Mbongwana Star received glowing reviews for their near-flawless 2015 debut. Deservedly so: From Kinshasa is an utterly compelling listen, combining post-punk riffs and traditional Congalese rhythms with a trip-hop edge courtesy of Tony Allen-collaborator Liam Farrell. Head to the front of their show, and prepare to have your mind blown.
Contains explicit content